British troops march from Pera to Taksim in 1922

The price for Turkey for backing ‘the wrong horse’ during WWI. The occupation of Istanbul was conducted by a multinational force with Britain dominating, quite different to Izmir, where the affair was virtually a solely Greek affair. These differences had many ramifications and active resistance in Istanbul was rare. In the long term the political backlash of these occupations did not serve the interests of minority communities, including the Levantines. There is still scope for research on this tumultuous time. The square and buildings of around Taksim, where these troops are emerging having exited Pera, have hardly changed in all this time.

HMS Resolution band and seamen crossing the Galata Bridge Feb 1920.

The newly disembarked British troops crossing the Galata Bridge.

The French troops about to cross the same bridge.

Marines of the Atlantic Fleet marching through Constantinople Feb 1920.

A contingent of British troops of the Army of Occupation of Constantinople awaiting General Allenby, January 1919.

The French general d’Esprey landing in Istanbul, escorted by the British General (probably Harrington) by his side.

The French general d’Esprey making an escorted entrance from Galata to Pera (Şişhane area) soon after landing on 8 Feb. 1919.

One of the more famous refugees who found himself in the Allied occupied Constantinople, General Wrangle, the leader of the defeated Southern White army of Russia, on board HMS Emperor of India at Constantinople.

A British submarine in Galata harbour, the M1 with a giant 12 inch gun, yet it was a design flaw, making it top heavy and the recoil caused damage to the vessel, but looked menacing.

British warships in the Bosphorus, the warships HMS Ajax and HMS Ramillies and 3 destroyers.

Aerial view of Istanbul from 1920 showing the Allied fleet in anchor.

Constantinople 1923 and Italian troops of the occupation army are kept busy through training drills. Photo from the archives of the American newspaper, the San Francisco Examiner.

French Renault FT-17 tanks being offloaded at Sirkeci docks, Istanbul, March / April 1920.

French armoured-car compound, Constantinople.

The French barracks in Constantinople named in honour of their General in the Levant, Gouraud.

The residence of one of the French generals in occupied Istanbul.

The French gendermarie grouping at Pangaltı, Istanbul.

Another newsreel photo, from the San Francisco Enquirer, showing a Turkish contingent of cavalry crossing the Galata Bridge on 15 Sep 1922, while Allied troops are still in the city, raising tensions, but as the political situation is now clear to both sides, no outright conflict.

Baker standing in front of the ‘American Bakery’ which displays signs in Armenian, Ladino (in Hebrew characters), English, Ottoman Turkish, Greek and Russian with samples of bread attached for the needy, Ortaköy, Istanbul, Turkey in 1922, part of the international aid for the occupied city.

Group of Indian Sikh Officers, at a rail junction at Ismid 11/12/19, part of the Allied occupation of strategic zones of the country post WWI.

Group of British officers at the same railway Junction of Izmit / Derince, 1919.

The organized destruction of Turkish artillery near the deep water port of Derince, Izmit region in 1920.

A French troopship with its itenary written on the postcard in the final year of the occupation of Constaninople, bringing in extra troops.